Electrician&#39;s rollable wire dispensing spool rack

ABSTRACT

A rollable dispenser for spooled wire looks much like a large hose reel. However, instead of the circular platters being held together by a central cylindrical core, they are held together by equiangularly-spaced tubular braces which rigidly interconnect the frames adjacent their circular peripheral edges. One or more wire spools are retained between the platters on removable axles which span the distance between both platters at radial intervals. One or more spools may also be retained by a centrally positioned axle. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, each platter is constructed from a length of circularly-bent tubing, the ends of which are butt welded together to form a hoop. Each platter further includes a circular laminar plate that includes a circular rim, a central hub having a single axle aperture, and radial laminar spokes, each having an axle aperture, which join the rim to the hub.

This application has a priority date based on the filing of ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/480,113 of the same title, by the inventor,John Joseph Tracy, on Apr. 28, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, generally, to construction tools and equipmentused by electricians and, more particularly to racks designed to holdmultiple spools of wound wire and cable, so that the wire and cable canbe selectively dispensed by unwinding it from the spools, as needed,during installation thereof in a building or other large structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The installation of electrical wires and cables at a construction siteis normally accomplished in a series of steps. For commercial andindustrial construction, electrical boxes and conduits are installed onthe walls or in the framed structure of the building. It is not unusualfor the space between floors or spaces above drop ceilings to be usedfor runs of conduit and cable. Secondly, insulated copper conductors arepulled through the conduits and into the boxes. Thirdly, the conductorscut to appropriate lengths, insulation is stripped from the end of eachconductor, some conductors are connected to others in the same box, andfixtures, switches, outlets, and other electrical devices are connectedto the ends of the remaining conductors. For residential construction(and even for some light commercial and office construction), electricalboxes are installed in the framing of the building. Secondly, holes aredrilled in the framing for runs of cable between the electrical boxes.Thirdly, cables having multiple copper conductors are pulled through theholes in the framing and into the electrical boxes. Fourthly, the cablesare cut to an appropriate length, protective sheathing is removed fromthe end of each cable, with a small amount of sheathing remaining whereit enters the electrical box. Fifthly, insulation is stripped from theends of each of the conductors, come conductors are connected to othersin the same box, and fixtures, switches, outlets and other electricaldevices are connected to the ends of the remaining conductors. It willbe appreciated to those skilled in the art that these three stepsrequire a substantial amount of materials and labor, both of whichaffect the overall cost of the electrical work. Those skilled in the artof electrical work recognize that the process of installing electricalwiring in aircraft and ships most closely resembles the process used forinstalling electrical wiring in commercial buildings.

Electrical cables are frequently obtained from the manufacturer in acorrugated paperboard box. A center portion of one side of the box isremovable so that one end of the cable can be pulled from the box. Asthe box does not rotate as the cable is extracted, twists are impartedto the cable. Single conductor insulated wire is almost always providedon a spool, which can be placed on an axle so that the wire can beunwound from the spool without imparting twists to the wire. In largerquantities, cable is also available on spools. For commercial wiringwork, it is frequently necessary to pull many individual conductors atonce through a single conduit. In order to prevent the wires frombecoming tangled during the pulling operation, and to minimize thecross-sectional area of the pulled bundle, it is essential that the wireeither be laid out on the ground in a bundle having no twists, or thatthe individual wires be unwound simultaneously from a rack on which thespools are mounted on axles so that the wire bundle can be pulledthrough the conduit without twists, kinks, or tangles. The task is mademore difficult by the fact that wires may be of different size (i.e.,current carrying capacity), and provided on different diameter spools.In the case of commercial buildings or similar structures, typically onthe order of six to twelve or more wires may be pulled at the same time.In the case of large aircraft and large ships, the simultaneous pullingof between forty and sixty wires through electrical conduits is notuncommon.

Electricians are not the only tradesmen who routinely need to dispensemultiple wires and/or multiple cables. Television cable installers andcomputer network installers have similar needs. For all of theseapplications, a wire and/or cable dispenser should have certaincharacteristics to provide maximum efficiency and convenience for theuser. First, a dispenser of electrical wire or cable (hereinafterreferred to as a wire/cable dispenser) should hold a plurality ofwire/cable spools. Second, the wire spools should be directly observableto check the amount of wire remaining on each spool. Third, each wirespool should be easily replaceable when it becomes exhausted, with theremoval of other spools being held to an absolute minimum. Fourth, thewire spools held by the wire/cable dispenser should not free spin in acoasting manner as the wire is dispensed therefrom. Free spinning is aproblem because it can cause tangles as the wire is unwound. Fifth, thewire/cable dispenser should be portable. That is to say that it shouldbe capable of being readily transported between work sites and manuallymovable to different areas if a particular job site. Finally, thewire/cable dispenser should be easily locked in a desired location sothat it does not creep or roll as wire or cable is dispensed therefrom.

Electrician racks and carts, on which spools of wire can be mounted forthe simultaneous, untangled and unkinked unwinding of multiple wireshave likely been available for more than a hundred years. Over thatperiod, available racks and carts have become generally moretransportable, lighter in weight and better adapted to electricalinstallation work. As will be seen from the following descriptions, aplethora of electrician wire rack and cart patents have been patented.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,230,591 to Lou Gray discloses an inclined display rackfor holding spools of wound electric wire of various grades and gages.The rack is designed such that wire from multiple spools may be unwoundsimultaneously. The rack, though lacking wheels, could be moved todifferent locations, either with the spools of wire in place, or byremoving the spools and moving the rack and spools separately.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,957,644 to Gerald M. Beardslee discloses a convenientlytransportable rack for retaining a plurality of spools of wire ontubular latched cross supports. Wire can be dispensed from multiplespools simultaneously.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,230 to Edward J. Zimmer discloses a wire dispensingcart that is combination of a two-wheeled hand dolly and a rigidsupplemental frame superstructure that is adapted to hold a plurality ofaxles in a ladder like configuration. At least one spool of wire can besuspended from each of the axles. Wire can be dispensed from one or morespools simultaneously.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,091 to Reed H. Knight discloses a portablemultiple-spool wire dispenser. The wire dispenser includes two bracketsadapted to mount on the spaced-apart support legs of a step ladder, anda spool-supporting shaft spanning the distance between the brackets andsecured to each of them. The shaft is mounted so that one end thereofcan be swung out for adding or removing spools.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,308 to Norman P. Tussing discloses a cart for use byelectricians, which has a main longitudinal member supported at its endsby pairs of wheels with one pair being of the swivel type to facilitatepassage through narrow doorway openings of a building. End-mounted postassemblies on the longitudinal member are equipped with arms for theoptional carrying of wire reels or electrical conduit. Each postassembly includes at least one sleeve through which may be inserted aspindle on which a large reel of wire may be carried.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,349, also to Norman P. Tussing, discloses a cart fortransporting wire spools as a job site and having a tee-shaped framewith a three wheel undercarriage. A spool support includes a post witharms on which wire spools are rotatably carried.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,981 to Steven M. Pavelka discloses a spooled wiredispenser cart, which includes a central frame and a plurality of spacedspool bars. At the free end of each spool bar is a spool retainer. Eachspool retainer includes an elongate element which has an unblockingposition relative to the spool bar, which permits wire spools to befreely slid over the free end of the spool bar and a blocking positionwhich prevents wire spools from sliding over the free end of the spoolbar. The wire cat may also include a folding handle having an extendedmaneuvering position.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,012 to Carsen S. Fuller discloses a folding wirecart convertible into a float and handtruck. The wire cart has a bodyrotatably attached to a base, main wheels secured to the base, and ahandtruck handle. Additionally, the convertible folding wire cart has afloat handle and swivel wheels spaced apart from the main wheels andadjacent the handtruck handle so that the wire cart may also be used ina float configuration.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,232 to John A. Lambert, Jr. discloses anomnidirectional wire dispenser for transporting and dispensing singleand multiple wires in any direction. The wire dispenser comprises aboxlike outer frame, with wheeled legs, a parallel inner shaft, withperpendicular spool holders thereon, and spool tension bars. The top outframe contains individual wire guide windows, which permitomnidirectional dispensing of one or more wires from spool holderswithout repositioning the dispenser.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,928 to Daniel T. Lassiter discloses a rack forrotatably mounting one or more wire dispensing spools. A set of fourrollers extend horizontally between a pair of spaced parallel side wallsand are positioned in a generally square-shaped configuration androtatably mount and retain the spools therebetween. Each roller includesa cylindrical low-friction plastic sleeve mounted on a center suport rodor axle. A plurality of spacers separate the sleeve into a plurality ofsleeve sections, thereby allowing the spools to rotate independently ofeach other without affecting the rotation of adjacent spools. A toproller of each set is spring biased and moves horizontally within a pairof aligned slots formed in the spaced side walls, thereby allowing thespring biased roller to move horizontally toward and away from the othertop roller of each set so that the spools may be easily inserted orremoved from the rack. Front and rear wheels and a handle allow the rackto used as a cart to transport the spools and other equipment andmaterials to and from the work site.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,280 to Angelo S. Dimitri discloses a hand-carriedwire spool rack for dispensing wire. The rack includes a frame having apair of horizontally extending parallel members for rotatably supportingat least one removable wire spool. The members are spaced apart by adistance that is less than the diameter of the spool. An upper member issecured to the frame and extends parallel with one of the parallelmembers. The upper member is positioned upwardly and outwardly from oneof the parallel members. The wire spool is positionable in a firstposition in rotatable supported engagement with one fo the parallelmembers and the upper member when a dispensing force is exerted on thewire spool which is generally greater than the relative weight of thewire spool.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,819 to Francis Korn, et al. discloses a rack fordispensing wire or tubing from spools rotatably mounted on a rodsupported at its ends by retaining slots in opposing sides of arectangular frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,451 to Hristos Radaios discloses a carrier for oneor more rotatably-mounted spools of wire. The carrier is portable, andis suitable for the separate or simultaneous dispensing of wire from oneor more wire spools housed within the carrier. The carrier includes acentral rod, which is inserted through the center of each spool. Thecarrier further includes a generally semi-circular cradle positionedbelow the wire spools. A pair of end walls supports the semi-circularcradle. Channels in the end walls permit rotation of the cradle relativeto these end walls. The channels are formed by a generally circularcut-out in each of the end walls. The carrier also includes one or moreslots in the cradle for the passage and dispensing of the wire throughthese slots.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,533 to Doyle Elder discloses a wheeled dispenser fordispensing wire from spools. The dispenser has a rectangular frame,three stationary vertical posts, and two rotatable vertical posts eachlocated between two stationary posts. Each rotatable post has aplurality of laterally projecting rods for supporting spools. Therotatable post can be rotated to a first position such that the rods areaccessible for loading spools, and rotated to a second position whereineach rod can latch to an adjacent stationary post, with the spools heldparallel so that they all pay out wire in one direction. The dispenseralso has wheels and a handle which can incline relative to the frame. Apin arranged to close a clevis secured the handle in a substantiallyupright position relative to the frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,920 to David G. Watkins discloses a collapsibledolly for dispensing cable or wire from spools mounted thereon. Thedolly includes a frame body having first and second ends, asubstantially vertical support having upper and lower ends and aninclined support having first and second ends, with at least one of thesupports including a spool axle. The lower end of the vertical supportis releasably pivotally affixed to the first end of the body, the firstend of the inclined support is releasably affixed to the upper end ofthe vertical support and the second end of the inclined support isreleasably pivotally affixed to the second end of the body. The dollyalso includes an optional handle releasably pivotally affixed to thesecond end of the body and interchangeable with an extendible elevatingcable boom.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,094 to William F. Campbell discloses a wiredispensing utility cart adapted to carry wire spools for dispensing wireduring installation. A relatively large utility cart is provided forcarrying multiple large spools of wire in a mobile fashion fordispensing wire during the installation of electrical wiring inbuildings, structures, aircraft, and the like. The cart provides atleast two elongated storage bays to facilitate transportation ofrelatively large objects such as ladders, conduits and other materialsand supplies needed for the installation process.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,504 to Doyle W. Elder discloses aneasily-maneuvered, four-wheeled cart upon which a number of spools ofwire, or other spooled material, of either like size or different sizescan be rotatably mounted along an inclined plane such that wires can bepulled from multiple spools without becoming entangled one with another.A wire guide aids in bringing the various wires together as a bundle forpulling as a single unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,777 to Michael F. Gaudio discloses a portable wirespool caddy for releasably holding at least one cylindrical spool havingan outer diameter while a wire or the like is being unwound from thespool. The caddy comprises an elongated frame which includes first andsecond spaced apart ends, a plurality of generally parallel fixed rodswhich each extend between and are connected to the first and secondends, and at least one movable rod which is generally parallel to thefixed rods and which extends between and is pivotably connected to thefirst and second ends. The movable rod is pivotable between a firstposition in which the movable rod is separated from an adjacent fixedrod by a second distance that is less than the diameter of the spool,and a second position in which the movable rod is separated from theadjacent fixed rod by a third distance, which is greater than thediameter of the spool. When the movable rod is in its first position,the spool is retained between the movable rod and the fixed rods, andwhen the movable rod is in its second position, the spool may be removedro inserted between the movable rod and the adjacent fixed rod.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,459 to Jay Anderson, et al. discloses amanually-operated wheeled reel support and dispensing cart forsupporting multiple reels of material and for dispensing the materialfrom the reels. The cart includes a cart frame having spaced sidemembers, handles for manual cart handling and a top cross brace, whichthe frame being connected to a support plate and wheel assembly. Aplurality of spindle hinge elements, each having a pivot opening, arefixed in spaced relation on one of the frame side members and receiveL-shaped removable spindle elements for pivotal opening and closingmovement. When open, the spindle elements are supported so that reelscan be added or removed. When the spindle elements are closed, thesecure reels of material to the cart.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,876 to Clyde R. Robison discloses an apparatus forhandling wire spools. The apparatus includes a brace and a spool handleremovably connected to the base. A spool is mounted on the handle andthereafter a user picks up the handle and mounts it on the base.Thereafter, wire can be dispensed from the spool.

U.S. Patent Publication 2007/0120003 for Geoffrey L. Grant discloses acaddy for spooled materials, which facilitates the removal andinstallation of spools of coiled materials (wire, cable, rope, cord,chain, etc.) within the device, while positively retaining the spools asmaterial is withdrawn. The caddy includes a pair of opposed lateralframe members having a series of fixed crossmembers therebetween, whichdefine a spool retaining cradle therein. A pivotally mounted arm extendsfrom each frame member adjacent the first or rear fixed crossmember,with a spool retaining crossmember connecting the distal ends of thearms. When the movable cross-member is raised, sufficient room isprovided between the first fixed crossmember and movable crossmember toallow a spool to be placed within or removed from the caddy. However,when the movable crossmember is lowered, the space between the firstfixed crossmember and the movable crossmember is reduced to less thanthe diameter of the spool, thereby securing the spool in place.

U.S. Pat. No. D584,471 to Johannes Petrus Louis Diedericks discloses awire and cable spool cart having a frame with a longitudinal backboneand two transverse supports at opposite ends thereof. Each of thetransverse supports is equipped with a spaced apart swiveling wheelassemblies. An inverted L-shaped support, which is affixed to one end ofthe frame, is equipped with a plurality of transverse horizontalspool-mounting tubes, which extend from both sides of the L-shapedsupport. Multiple spools of wire may be placed on each end of aspool-mounting tube. Each end of a spool-mounting tube is equipped witha spool retainer.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,394 to John T. Gleason discloses a caddy forcarrying spools of electrical wire. The caddy has complementary T-shapedslots in opposite side walls and members affixed between the side wallsthat support the spools, forming a cage, and one member rides within theT-shaped slot. The moving member may be pulled away from the cage toallow for room to release a spool from its cage, but the member willmove by itself in response to movement of the caddy to keep the spool orspools locked within the cage.

U.S. Patent Publication 2010/0078514 for Jerry L. Thompson discloses aportable wire spool holding device that includes at least two separatemechanical devices for supporting a cross bar between two verticalsupports. Each mechanical device can be comprised of three primarycomponents: two gripping elements connected by a leveraged bar supportelement. The leveraged bar support element can be adapted to hold across bar member.

The heretofore described electrician racks and carts have one or moredeficiencies. Some are overly complicated; others are unwieldy; othersare not particularly portable; others are difficult to and still othersare unnecessarily heavy. What is needed is a new type of carrier forspools wound with electrical wire and/or cable. The carrier should berelatively inexpensive, easy to manipulate, ultra compact, lightweight,easy to move without having to lift and carry it, simple to manufacture,easily rendered unmovable for the pulling of multiple wires, and capableof holding a number of spools of wire sufficient for serious electricalinstallation work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rollable dispenser for spooled wire and/or cable looks much like alarge reel for garden hose storage. Like many such reels, the circular,spaced-apart, parallel platters thereof are constructed from a circularrim, a plurality of radial spokes, and a central disc, with the spokesinterconnecting the rim and the central disc. However, instead of thespaced-apart, parallel platters of the reel being held together by acentral cylindrical core, they are held together by equiangularly-spacedtubular braces which rigidly interconnect the platters near theirperipheral edges. The spokes of each platter are radially aligned withthose of the opposite platter. One or more wire spools are retainedbetween the platters on removable axles which span the distance betweenthe radially-aligned spokes of both platters. One or more spools mayalso be retained by an axle passing through the reel's central axis.

For a preferred embodiment of the invention, the circular rim of theplatter is constructed from a length of circularly-bent tubing, the endsof which are butt welded together to form a hoop. Each of the radialspokes is constructed from a length of steel channel stock. The centraldisc is surrounded by a cylindrical wall, which is either formed withthe disc in a single stamping or welded to the periphery of the disc.The inner ends of the spokes are welded to the cylindrical wall, withthe spoke channels and the wall of the central disc facing onedirection, which will be the outer platter of the platter. The outerends of the spokes are welded directly to the hoop so that the flatmajor surface of each spoke is coplanar with the inner surface of thehoop. This configuration will enable spools of wire to be installedwithin the rolling spool rack without the hoop interfering with theentry thereof into the rack. An arcuate gusset reinforces each sectionof hoop between each pair of adjacent spokes, and is welded to the hoop,as well as to each of the adjacent spokes. Each spoke is equipped withone or two axle apertures, which each axle aperture accommodatingdifferent spool sizes. Each axle aperture is reinforced with asurrounding flat washer that is welded to the spoke. Forsmaller-diameter embodiments of the invention, the entire centralportion of the platter (i.e., spokes and central disc) can be stamped orcut from a single piece of steel plate stock. This can even be done forthe larger-diameter embodiments, but with substantial waste of steelbetween the spokes.

Once a pair of platters has been fabricated, they are positionedparallel to one another, with the spokes and arcuate gussets of oneplatter radially aligned with the spokes and gussets, respectively, ofthe other platter. Each end of a tubular brace is then welded to amiddle region of a gusset of each radially aligned pair of gussets,thereby interconnecting the platters, yet still leaving sufficient spaceto insert spools into the rollable rack from the periphery thereof. Thetubular braces are radially spaced so that spools containing wound wirecan be placed between the platters and mounted on a removable axle whichspans the distance from one platter to the other. Each axle ispreferably fabricated from a length of pipe that has been threaded onboth ends. Retaining nuts are most easily made by sawing a pipe couplerin a direction that is perpendicular to the coupler's central axis.

The fabrication process results in a structure that can be easily rolledfrom one location to another, and which can be rolled up or down aloading ramp. The circular hoop on each platter serves severalfunctions: it strengthens the outer edges of the platter, reducesrolling and turning friction, and minimizes the likelihood that theouter edges of the bobbin will cut items over which it might roll (e.g.,worker's toes).

The rollable, spooled wire dispenser can be prevented from rolling bylocking it in place with a chock modeled after those which have beenused to chock airplane wheels for nearly a century. The rollablewire/cable dispenser can be manufactured in various diameters and invarious widths to accommodate wire spools of different sizes and widths.Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are built with 60-inch,48-inch, and 24-inch outplatter diameters. A 60-inch-diameter embodimenthaving a width of 37 inches can accommodate up to six23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools (two spools on every otherradially-spaced axle) wound with up to 2500 feet of #6 insulated wireand three 15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools (three spools on thecentral axle) wound with up to 1000 feet of #6 or #8 insulated wire.Alternatively, the 60-inch diameter embodiment can accommodatetwenty-one 15.5-inch-diameter spools (three spools on eachradially-spaced axle and three spools on the central axle) wound with upto 1000 feet of #6 or #8 insulated wire. A 48-inch-diameter embodimenthaving a width of 34 inches accommodates up to twenty-one15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch wide spools (three per axle) wound with upto 2500 feet of #10 or #12 insulated wire. A 24-inch-diameter embodimenthaving a width of 23.5 inches accommodates up to twenty-eight7-inch-diameter, 5-inch-wide spools (two per axle) wound with up to 500feet of #14 or #16 insulated wire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment 60-inch-diameterrolling spool rack;

FIG. 2 is front or rear elevational view of a first embodiment60-inch-diameter embodiment rolling spool rack having a width of 37inches;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the first embodiment60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack showing a configuration forinstallation of 23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools (three are shownmounted on three different, radially-spaced axles) and15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools (six are shown on different,radially-spaced axles and one is shown on a central axle);

FIG. 4 is front or rear elevational view of the first embodiment60-inch-diameter embodiment rolling spool rack having a width of 37inches showing a frontal (or rear) configuration for installation of23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools (two are shown mounted on asingle axle);

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack showing a configuration forinstallation of 23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools (four are shownmounted on four different, radially-spaced axles);

FIG. 6 is front or rear elevational view of a second embodiment60-inch-diameter embodiment rolling spool rack having a width of 37inches showing a frontal (or rear) configuration for installation of23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools (two are shown mounted on asingle axle);

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a 48-inch-diameter embodiment of arolling spool rack, showing a configuration for installation of15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools (six are shown mounted ondifferent, radially-spaced axles, and one is shown mounted on a centralaxle);

FIG. 8 is front or rear elevational view of a 48-inch-diameterembodiment of a rolling spool rack having a width of 34 inches, showinga frontal (or rear) configuration for installation of15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools (three are shown mounted on asingle axle);

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a 24-inch-diameter embodiment of arolling spool rack, showing a configuration for installation of7-inch-diameter, 5-inch-wide spools (six are shown mounted on different,radially-spaced axles, and one is shown mounted on a central axle);

FIG. 10 is front or rear elevational view of a 24-inch-diameterembodiment of a rolling spool rack having a width of 23.5 inches,showing a frontal (or rear) configuration for installation of7-inch-diameter, 5-inch-wide spools (four are shown mounted on a singleaxle); and

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a single axle and a pair of retainer nuts.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the rolling wire spool rack will now be describedin detail, with reference to the attached drawing FIGS. 1 through 13. Itshould be understood that the drawings are not, necessarily, drawn toscale, and that they are intended to be merely illustrative of theinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment 60-inch-diameter rollingspool rack 100 is seen in a side view, which shows only one platter101-A of two identical, spaced-apart circular platters 101-A and 101-B(item number 101 applies to either). Each of the platters 101 isfabricated from a peripheral hoop 102, a central disc 103, and pluralityof radially-spaced spokes 104, which interconnect the central disc 103to the peripheral hoop 102. The hoop 102 is constructed from a length ofcircularly-bent tubing, the ends of which are butt welded together,thereby forming the hoop 102. Each of the spokes 104 is constructed froma length of steel channel stock. The central disc 103 is, preferably,surrounded by a cylindrical wall 105, which is either formed with thedisc 103 in a single stamping or welded to the periphery of the disc103. The inner end 106 of each spoke 104 is welded to the cylindricalwall 105, with the spoke channels 107 and the cylindrical wall 105 onone side of the platter 101, which will be the outer side thereof. Theouter end 108 of each spoke 104 is welded directly to the hoop 102, sothat the flat major surface of each spoke (i.e., the surface behind thechannel 107) is coplanar with the inner surface of the hoop 102. Thisconfiguration will enable spools of wire to be installed within therolling spool rack without the hoop interfering with the entry thereofinto the rack. An arcuate gusset 109 reinforces each section of hoop 102between each pair of adjacent spokes 104, and is welded to the hoop 102,as well as to each of the adjacent spokes 104. Each spoke is 104equipped with two axle apertures 110-A and 110-B, with each axleaperture on a single spoke 104 accommodating the mounting of spools ofdifferent diameters. In addition, the central disc is also equipped witha single axle aperture 110-C. Each axle aperture 110-A, 110-B, and 110-Cis reinforced with a surrounding flat washer 111 that is welded to thespoke 104. It should be noted that the positions of the hidden tubularcross braces are indicated by six broken-line circles 112-A, 112-B,112-C, 112-D, 112-E and 112-F (item number 112 applies, generally, toany of the six tubular cross braces of the first embodiment60-inch-diameter rolling wire spool rack 100). The ends of each tubularcross brace 112 are welded to two opposing arcuate gussets 109 onopposite platters 101.

Referring now to this FIG. 2, the first embodiment 60-inch-diameterrolling spool rack 100 is seen in a front or rear view, in which bothplatters 101-A and 101-B are visible. This particular embodiment has awidth of 37 inches so that it can accommodate two 23.5-inch-diameter,16-inch-wide spools on a single axle. The two platters 101-A and 101-Bare held together by the tubular cross braces 110-A, 110-B, 110-C,110-D, 110-E and 110-F.

Referring now to FIG. 3, this side view of the first embodiment60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack 100 shows alternative configurationsfor the installation of 23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools 301 onthree different, equiangularly-spaced axles 302-A, 302-B and 302-C in afirst circular pattern 303, and for the installation of15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools 303 on seven differentaxles—six radially-spaced axles 304-A, 304-B, 304-C, 304-D, 304-E, 304-Fand one central axle 304-G.

Referring now to FIG. 4, this front or rear elevational view of thefirst embodiment 60-inch-diameter embodiment rolling spool rack having awidth of 37 inches shows a frontal (or rear) configuration for theinstallation of two 23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools 301 on asingle axle 302-A. With two spools mounted on axles 302-A, 302-B and302-C, this rolling spool rack 100 is capable of holding a total of six23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools 301, in addition to up to three15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools 303 on the central axle 304-A.As three 15.5-inch-diameter, 9.5-inch-wide spools 303 may be mounted oneach of axles 304-A, 304-B, 304-C, 304-D, 304-E, 304-F and 304-G, thisrolling spool rack 100 is also capable of holding a total of twenty-oneof those spools.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a second embodiment 60-inch-diameter rollingspool rack 500 is seen in a side view, which shows only one platter501-A of two identical, spaced-apart circular platters 501-A and 501-B(item number 501 applies to either). Each of the platters 501 isfabricated from a peripheral hoop 102, a central disc 103, and pluralityof radially-spaced spokes 502, which interconnect the central disc 103to the peripheral hoop 102. The hoop 102, the central disc 103, and thecylindrical wall 105 are identical to those of the first embodiment60-inch-diameter rolling spool rack 100. However, as there are only fourspokes rather than six, each of the spokes 502 is constructed from alength of steel channel stock that is about fifty percent wider than thespokes 104 used for the first embodiment 60-inch-diameter rolling spoolrack 100. The inner end 503 of each spoke 502 is welded to thecylindrical wall 105, with the spoke channels 504 and the cylindricalwall 105 on one side of the platter 501, which will be the outer sidethereof. The outer end 505 of each spoke is welded directly to the hoop102, so that the flat major surface of each spoke (i.e., the surfacebehind the channel 504) is coplanar with the inner surface of the hoop102. This configuration will enable spools of wire to be installedwithin the rolling spool rack without the hoop interfering with theentry thereof into the rack. An arcuate gusset 506 reinforces eachsection of hoop 102 between each pair of adjacent spokes 502, and iswelded to the hoop 102, as well as to each of the adjacent spokes 502.Each spoke 502 is equipped with a single axle aperture 507. Each axleaperture 507 is reinforced with a surrounding flat washer 110 that iswelded to the spoke 502. It should be noted that the positions of thehidden tubular cross braces are indicated by four broken-line circles508-A, 508-B, 508-C, and 508-D (item number 508 applies, generally, toany of the four cross braces of the second embodiment 60-inch diameterrolling spool rack 500). The ends of each tubular cross brace 508 arewelded to two opposing arcuate gussets 506 on opposite platters 501.Also shown in this side view is a configuration for the installation of23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools 301 on four different,equiangularly-spaced axles 509 in a circular pattern. A central axle 510provides an optional mounting location for smaller wire spools.

Referring now to this FIG. 6, the second embodiment 60-inch-diameterrolling spool rack 500 is seen in a front or rear view, in which bothplatters 501-A and 501-B are visible. The two platters 501-A and 501-Bare held together by the tubular cross braces 508-A, 508-B, 508-C, and508-D. This particular embodiment has a width of 37 inches so that itcan accommodate two 23.5-inch-diameter, 16-inch-wide spools 301 in aside-by-side arrangement on a single axle, as is shown in this view.With two such spools on four axles, a total of eight spools can bemounted on this second embodiment 60-inch diameter rolling spool rack500.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a 48-inch-diameter embodiment of a rollingspool rack 700 is seen in a side view, which shows only one platter701-A of two identical, spaced-apart circular platters 701-A and 701-B(item number 701 applies to either). Each of the platters 701 isfabricated from a peripheral hoop 702, a central disc 703, and pluralityof radially-spaced spokes 704, which interconnect the central disc 703to the peripheral hoop 702. The hoop 702 is constructed from a length ofcircularly-bent tubing, the ends of which are butt welded together,thereby forming the hoop 702. Each of the spokes 704 is constructed froma length of steel channel stock. The central disc 703 is, preferably,surrounded by a cylindrical wall 705, which is either formed with thedisc 703 in a single stamping or welded to the periphery of the disc703. The inner end 706 of each spoke 704 is welded to the cylindricalwall 705, with the spoke channels 707 and the cylindrical wall 705 onone side of the platter 701, which will be the outer side thereof. Theouter end 708 of each spoke 704 is welded directly to the hoop 702, sothat the flat major surface of each spoke (i.e., the surface behind thechannel 707) is coplanar with the inner surface of the hoop 702. Thisconfiguration will enable spools of wire to be installed within therolling spool rack without the hoop interfering with the entry thereofinto the rack. An arcuate gusset 709 reinforces each section of hoop 702between each pair of adjacent spokes 704, and is welded to the hoop 702,as well as to each of the adjacent spokes 704. Each spoke is 704equipped with a single axle aperture 710, as is the central disc 703.Each axle aperture 710 is reinforced with a surrounding flat washer 711that is welded to the spoke 704. It should be noted that the positionsof the hidden tubular cross braces are indicated by six broken-linecircles 712-A, 712-B, 712-C, 712-D, 712-E and 712-F (item number 111applies, generally, to any of the six tubular cross braces of the48-inch-diameter embodiment of the rolling wire spool rack 700). Theends of each tubular cross brace 712 are welded to two opposing arcuategussets 709 on opposite platters 701. Also shown in this side view ofFIG. 7 is a configuration for the installation of 15.5-inch-diameter,9.5-inch-wide spools (six are shown mounted on different,radially-spaced axles 713, and one is shown mounted on a central axle714).

Referring now to this FIG. 8, the 48-inch-diameter embodiment of therolling spool rack 700 is seen in a front or rear view, in which bothplatters 701-A and 701-B are visible. The two platters 701-A and 701-Bare held together by six tubular cross braces 711-A, 711-B, 711-C,711-D, 711-E and 711-F. This particular embodiment has a width of 34inches so that it can accommodate three 15.5-inch-diameter,9.5-inch-wide spools in a side-by-side arrangement on a single axle.With three such spools on seven axles, a total of twenty-one spools canbe mounted on this 48-inch diameter embodiment of the rolling spool rack700.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a 24-inch-diameter embodiment of a rollingspool rack 900 is seen in a side view, which shows only one platter901-A of two identical, spaced-apart circular platters 901-A and 901-B(item number 901 applies to either). Each of the platters 901 isfabricated from a peripheral hoop 902 and a central patterned plate 903cut from a single plate of steel stock. The central patterned plate 903incorporates a central disc 904, a circular rim 905, and sixequiangularly-spaced radial spokes 906, which interconnect the circularrim 905 to the central disc 904. The central patterned plate 903 issized so that it can be welded to the hoop 902, with one major surfacecoplanar, or flush, with the inner surface thereof. It should beunderstood that although the platters of the larger diameter embodimentsof the rolling wire spool rack 100, 500, and 700 can also be fabricatedfrom a hope and a one-piece central patterned plate, the waste of steelis deemed excessive. In addition, for the larger diameter embodiments,the spokes fabricated from channel stock impart a desired degree ofrigidity to the structure without a commensurate increase in rackweight. It should be clear that a one-piece central patterned plate,such as 903, can be cut with one of more saw tools, with laser cutter,with a high-pressure water cutter, or even milled, although laser orhigh-pressure water techniques are deemed to be the least expensivemethod. As with the other embodiments of the rolling spool rack 100,500, and 700, the hoop 902 is constructed from a length ofcircularly-bent tubing, the ends of which are butt welded together,thereby forming the hoop 902. This configuration will enable spools ofwire to be installed within the rolling spool rack without the hoopinterfering with the entry thereof into the rack. The circular rim 905takes the places of the arcuate gussets of the other embodiments of therolling wire spool rack 100, 500 and 700. Each spoke of the centralpatterned plate 903 is equipped with a single axle aperture 907-A. Thecentral disc is also equipped with a single axle aperture 907-B. Eachaxle aperture 907 is reinforced with a surrounding flat washer 908 thatis welded to its respective spoke 906. It should be noted that thepositions of the hidden tubular cross braces are indicated by sixbroken-line circles 909-A, 909-B, 909-C, 909-D, 909-E and 909-F (itemnumber 909 applies, generally, to any of the six tubular cross braces ofthe 24-inch-diameter embodiment of the rolling wire spool rack 900). Theends of each tubular cross brace 909 are welded to the two opposingcircular rims 905 on opposite platters 901. Also shown in this side viewof FIG. 9 is a configuration for the installation of showing aconfiguration for the installation of 7-inch-diameter, 5-inch-widespools 910 (six are shown mounted on different, radially-spaced axles911, and one is shown mounted on a central axle 912).

Referring now to this FIG. 10, the 24-inch-diameter embodiment of therolling spool rack 900 is seen in a front or rear view, in which bothplatters 901-A and 901-B are visible. The two platters 901-A and 901-Bare held together by six tubular cross braces 908-A, 908-B, 908-C,908-D, 908-E and 908-F. This particular embodiment has a width of 23.5inches so that it can accommodate four 7-inch-diameter, 5-inch-widespools in a side-by-side arrangement on a single axle. With four suchspools on seven axles, a total of twenty-eight spools can be mounted onthis 24-inch diameter embodiment of the rolling spool rack 900.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a single representative spool axle assembly1100 is shown, including a tubular axle 1101 threaded at both ends and apair of retaining nuts 1102-A and 1102-B (1102, generally). Aspreviously stated, the retaining nuts 1102 are fabricated by sawing arigid electrical conduit couplings in half through its central axis. Itshould be understood that rigid electrical conduit and electricalcouplings, unlike rigid water pipe and couplings therefor, have threadswhich are not tapered. Thus, the half-couplings function effectively asscrew-on nuts. It should be understood that rigid pipe is, of course,available in different diameters, and that pipe of an appropriatediameter can be selected to accommodate spools having central apertureof a certain diameter. Likewise, rigid pipe or conduit of a desireddiameter can be cut to appropriate lengths for any particular embodimentof the rolling wire spool rack. In addition, although all of theembodiments of the rollable wire dispensing spool racks are disclosed inwidths that accommodate at least two spools on the same axle, otherembodiments can be fabricated that accommodate fewer spools on a singleaxle by simply shortening each of the tubular cross braces. All otherphysical attributes of that particular embodiment of the rollable wiredispensing spool rack will remain the same.

Referring now to the drawing labeled “Spooly”, this is an assembledknock-down or built-up embodiment of the Electrician's Rollable WireDispensing Spool Rack. Though the bolts and nuts holding the assemblytogether are not shown, it should be easily understood by someone havingordinary skill in the art that bolts and nuts can be used to secure thevarious components in a rigid integrated assembly. The knock-down designdramatically reduces shipping costs.

The drawing labeled Universal Hub, Spokes, Cross Members, Spool Poles,Spool Pole Nuts, Outer Ring Sections, Tubular Rim Section Rim Pin, Rimwith Welded Pin and Welded Finished Wheel Rim Section shows the variouscomponents required to make a single platter. The cross members, ofcourse are used to interconnect both platters.

The drawing labeled Hub Assembly (weld) shows the build-up of a hub fromchannel iron. It, of course, can be stamped from a single sheet of steelor stainless steel.

The drawing labeled Wheel Assembly shows the attachment of a rim sectionwith two spokes and the hub. Also shown in detail the slot detail of asingle spoke.

The drawings with the first drawing labeled Bolt on another Wheel RimSection continues the assembly of the platter or wheel assembly. Thewheel is constructed in two halves, which are then bolted together.

The drawing labeled Loading the Spool shows how spools wound with wireare most easily loaded on the completed dispensing spool rack.

The drawing labeled Cross Member shows two embodiments of bolt-on crossmembers.

The spool rack could be built with more than two platters. However, twoplatter embodiments are considered the preferred embodiment. In the caseof three platters, both platters would be spaced apart in a parallel,coaxial arrangement.

Although only several embodiments of a rolling wire spool rack have beenshown and described, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skillin the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the scope and the spirit of the invention as may behereinafter claimed.

1. An electrician's rollable dispenser for insulated metal wireconductors wound on spools, said dispenser comprising: a pair ofgenerally circular platters, each platter having a generally circularrim and a plurality of spokes coupled to a central hub; a plurality ofelongate cross braces, each of which is rigidly attached, at each endthereof, to one of said circular platters, such that both circularplatters are maintained in a parallel, spaced-apart, coaxialrelationship; and a plurality of axles, each of which is removablyinstallable between said platters at fixed locations that are eitherparallel or coincident with a central axis of the dispenser, whichpasses through a center of each hub, each of said axles intended tocarry at least one conductor-wound spool.
 2. The electrician's rollabledispenser of claim 1, wherein said circular rim is fabricated from ahoop of butt-welded steel tubing that is welded to a plurality ofarcuate gussets that reinforce the hoop and spoke-to-hoop joints.
 3. Theelectrician's rollable dispenser of claim 1, wherein said elongate crossbraces are welded to said platters.
 4. The electrician's rollabledispenser of claim 1, wherein said elongate cross braces are bolted tosaid platters.
 5. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 1,wherein: said elongate cross braces are metal pipe, with a first end ofeach being right-hand threaded and a second end being left-handthreaded; one platter is fitted with a set of right-hand threadedcouplings, the other platter is fitted with a set of left-hand threadedcouplings; said sets of couplings are secured to an inner surface oftheir respective platter at radially-spaced locations adjacent aperiphery thereof; and said platters are joined together by rotatablyand simultaneously engaging one right-handed coupling and oneleft-handed coupling with each elongate cross brace.
 6. Theelectrician's rollable dispenser of claim 1, wherein multiple spokes ofeach platter are each equipped with a radially-disposed slot having aplurality of axle securing means at different radial distances from thecentral axis.
 7. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 6,wherein each of said axles is a section of pipe threaded at both endsthereof and said securing means comprises: multiple semi-circular cutoutpairs on opposite sides of each slot, each semi-circular cutout beingspaced from other semi-circular cutout pairs along the same slot, eachsemi-circular cutout pair providing an axle securing location withinthat slot; and a securing nut for each end of said pipe-section axles,each securing nut having a stepped shoulder sized to engage onesemi-circular cutout pair in a slot.
 8. The electricians rollabledispenser of claim 6, wherein each of said axles is a section of pipethreaded at both ends thereof and said securing means comprises:multiple semi-circular chamfers on opposite sides of each slot, eachsemi-circular chamfer being spaced from other semi-circular chamferpairs along the same slot, each semi-circular cutout pair providing anaxle securing location within that slot; and a securing nut for each endof said pipe-section axles, each securing nut having a chamfered endsized to engage one semi-circular chamfer pair in a slot.
 9. Theelectricians rollable dispenser of claim 1, wherein each of saidplatters is a built-up assembly comprising: a central hub; six spokes;six identical platter rim sections, each of which comprises an arcuateplate member, a tubular rim member welded to the arcuate plate member,and an alignment pin protruding from one end of the tubular rim member;and wherein said central hub, each of said spokes and each platter rimsection is equipped with bolt holes that enable one end of each spoke tobe bolted to the hub in an equally-spaced radial pattern, and theopposite end of each spoke to be bolted to an abutting pair of platterrim sections, thereby securing together each abutting platter rimsection pair.
 10. The electricians rollable dispenser of claim 9,wherein each elongate cross brace is a section of pipe having a flangeat each end thereof that bolts to one of the circular platters.
 11. Anelectrician's rollable dispenser for insulated metal wire conductorswound on spools, said dispenser comprising: at least two parallel,coaxial, spaced-apart, generally circular platters, each platter havinga generally circular rim and a framework connecting the circular rim toa central hub; a plurality of elongate cross braces, each of which isrigidly attached, at opposite ends thereof, to a pair of adjacentplatters; a plurality of axles, each of which is removably installablebetween said platters at fixed locations that are either parallel orcoincident with a central axis of the dispenser, which passes through acenter of each hub, each of said axles intended to carry at least oneconductor-wound spool.
 12. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim11, wherein said framework consists of six, equiangularly-spaced spokes,which emanate from the hub and connect to the circular rim.
 13. Theelectrician's rollable dispenser of claim 12, wherein each circular rimcomprises a hoop of butt-welded steel tubing that is welded to aplurality of arcuate gussets that reinforce the hoop and spoke-to-hoopjoints.
 14. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 11, whereineach of said platters is a welded, built-up assembly, and said elongatecross braces are welded to said platters.
 15. The electrician's rollabledispenser of claim 11, wherein said elongate cross braces are bolted tosaid platters.
 16. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 11,wherein: said elongate cross braces are metal pipe, with a first end ofeach being right-hand threaded and a second end being left-handthreaded; one platter is fitted with a set of right-hand threadedcouplings, the other platter is fitted with a set of left-hand threadedcouplings; said sets of couplings are secured to an inner surface oftheir respective platter at radially-spaced locations adjacent aperiphery thereof; and said platters are joined together by rotatablyand simultaneously engaging one right-handed coupling and oneleft-handed coupling with each elongate cross brace.
 17. Theelectrician's rollable dispenser of claim 11, wherein multiple spokes ofeach platter are each equipped with a radially-disposed slot having aplurality of axle securing means at different radial distances from thecentral axis.
 18. The electrician's rollable dispenser of claim 17,wherein each of said axles is a section of pipe threaded at both endsthereof and said securing means comprises: multiple semi-circular cutoutpairs on opposite sides of each slot, each semi-circular cutout beingspaced from other semi-circular cutout pairs along the same slot, eachsemi-circular cutout pair providing an axle securing location withinthat slot; and a securing nut for each end of said pipe-section axles,each securing nut having a stepped shoulder sized to engage onesemi-circular cutout pair in a slot.
 19. The electricians rollabledispenser of claim 17, wherein each of said axles is a section of pipethreaded at both ends thereof and said securing means comprises:multiple semi-circular chamfers on opposite sides of each slot, eachsemi-circular chamfer being spaced from other semi-circular chamferpairs along the same slot, each semi-circular cutout pair providing anaxle securing location within that slot; and a securing nut for each endof said pipe-section axles, each securing nut having a chamfered endsized to engage one semi-circular chamfer pair in a slot.
 20. Theelectricians rollable dispenser of claim 11, wherein each of saidplatters is a built-up assembly comprising: a central hub; six spokes;six identical platter rim sections, each of which comprises an arcuateplate member, a tubular rim member welded to the arcuate plate member,and an alignment pin protruding from one end of the tubular rim member;and wherein said central hub, each of said spokes and each platter rimsection is equipped with bolt holes that enable one end of each spoke tobe bolted to the hub in an equally-spaced radial pattern, and theopposite end of each spoke to be bolted to an abutting pair of platterrim sections, thereby securing together each abutting platter rimsection pair.